UMD chemistry and biochemistry department receives NSF funding

Friday

Jan 18, 2013 at 6:33 PM

DARTMOUTH — Researchers in the chemistry and biochemistry department at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth recently received a $339,000 Major Research Instrument award for the acquisition of a 400 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometer, a primary means of characterizing chemical structures.

DARTMOUTH — Researchers in the chemistry and biochemistry department at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth recently received a $339,000 Major Research Instrument award for the acquisition of a 400 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometer, a primary means of characterizing chemical structures.

The spectrometer represents a big step forward in the department's ability to perform research, train students and attract new faculty. From researching botulism antidotes to studying the health effects of cranberries, this instrument will impact nearly all chemistry and biochemistry projects, the university said.

Dr. Bal Ram Singh, director of the Botulinum Research Center, will use the spectrometer to determine the structure of botulism antidotes being developed from natural compound libraries, while Dr. Sivappa Rasapalli will use it for method development in organic synthesis. In his work, Rasapalli looks for new ways to produce natural products and their derivatives as potential pharmaceuticals.

The spectrometer will also facilitate the work of Dr. David Manke, who will use the NMR to characterize inorganic compounds his lab produces. Specifically, his lab synthesizes inorganic molecules and solids to be applied to the capture and activation of carbon dioxide.

The spectrometer will benefit two professors conducting cranberry health research. Dr. Catherine Neto, director of the Cranberry Health Research Center, will use the NMR to characterize cranberry plant compounds that have potential use as antimicrobials, antioxidants and anti-cancer agents. Dr. Maolin Guo, co-director of the Cranberry Health Research Center, will use the spectrometer to characterize molecular imaging sensors developed in his lab that can study the activity of cranberry antioxidants in live cells.

The instrument will also be useful for several other faculty members including Dr. Brian Dixon at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

The award was granted under the leadership of principal investigator Maolin Guo and co-principal investigators David Manke, Catherine Neto, Emmanuel Ojadi and Sivappa Rasapalli.

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